"Alhamdulillah, I was chosen as one of 10 Muslim youth who will visit Australia for two weeks to exchange ideas about the social life, culture, and role of religion in both countries," Ria Oktorina said in Padang on Friday (6/14).
The exchange program for young Australian-Indonesian Muslims was created by the Australian government, in collaboration with the Australia Indonesia Institute and Paramadina University.
In addition, the program aims to build brotherhood between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia, while raising awareness about pluralism and interfaith dialogue in Australia.
In the selection process, Ria, who also serves as Chair of the West Sumatra Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association (AIMI), explained in an essay about her activities as AIMI Planner and AIMI Activist.
"In the interview phase, they were interested in the issue of breastfeeding and my activities in breastfeeding campaigns for various groups," she said.
Ria, who was the only participant from West Sumatra to pass the selection, also received a recommendation from the Head of West Sumatra Bappeda (local national development plan office), Chair of the AIMI Center and Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Sumbar.
While in Australia, she will meet with Muslim communities of religious organizations, universities, and social organizations in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
Ria Oktorina was born in Selayo on October 30, 1983 and is a graduate of IHS-Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and completed her bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Agriculture of Andalas University, Padang.
The wife of Mevrizal was also an Indonesian Delegate at the Mosaic International Summit United Kingdom 2010 and participated in the Young South East Asia Leadership Initiative - Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI-PFP) program in the United States.
Ria, who has one child, was also supported by the West Sumatra Provincial Government, receiving a letter of reference from West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno.
(INE)
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
